It's a well known myth that cats have nine lives, but i think nine tails is stretching it.....
The cat o' nine tails, commonly shortened to the cat, is a type of multi-tailed whip that originated as an implement for severe physical punishment, notably in the Royal Navy and Army of the United Kingdom, and also as a judicial punishmnet in Britain and some other countries.
The quartermaster is the only individual who administered floggings with the cat o' nine tails, and it was frequently used as punishment for striking other crewmembers, or other less heinous crimes. This was one of the few punishments that did not lead to death, though it was quite barbaric. The cat o' nine tails was usually an unwound rope whip of nine strands, the ends of which varied. Sometimes the ends were tarred nots, and sometimes fish hooks or musketballs were placed on the end to inflict more pain on the accused. After the beating, the raw skin was sometimes covered with salt and vinegar for further punishment.
other Ref: http://pirates.wikia.com/wiki/Cat_o%27_nine_tails
You may ask why Cat o' Nine Tails ?
Do you see the cats eyes ?